Metal Mouth Message Board

I've been posting on this board for nearly three years, mainly complaining at how long the process has been to get me ready for surgery. Well after all this time I finally got my surgery date for august! I am in UK having it done on nhs and having upper and lower surgery for overbite and misalignment of teeth. I am having the top palate expanded where they are going to cut it into three and need a bone graft from my hip. I am worries though having spoke to my surgeon yesterday and asking all my questions that the change in my appearance will be tiny. I hate my profile and small sloped chin. I am really concerned I am going to have gone through all of this for just to be able to bite propelry. I know that is the whole point of this surgery but surely my appearance is important to them too? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks guys.

Bump

I'm sure you will see a difference with your profile. You will end up with a much more balanced profile, especially side on. You may not notice a huge difference when looking face on - if you know what I mean.

Sounds like you're having the same surgery as me, although I have not had mine yet. My ortho and surgeon said that it's preferable not to change your facial appearance too dramatically. The whole purpose is to fix your bite and your profile. They said I would still look like me, but my face would be more balanced, and I'd end up with a more prominent chin, and I'd have a fuller smile, and I'll be able to close my mouth without straining.

I think the surgery is worth it.

Congrats on your surgery date redfoxjo! your concerns are totally normal, and I know I had some before surgery. Luckily my surgeon DOES look at the aesthetic part of having this surgery done. Make sure to air your concerns, it would be horrible to wait so long for this and not have a positive outcome both physically and aesthetically. Good luck in your journey!

Thanks both I am excited but nervous too. I did ask all of my questions and had them answered but I just didn't feel the aesthetics were important.

My main worries are my long face shape will remain long, that my small chin won't be brought forward enough and that my nose summary get wider. I hate my nose as it is and intent to get cosmetic surgery on it next year anyway.

I see the difference in peoples profiles after surgery and like you say not so much on front profile.

I guess my expectations were a bit high and now that the date has been set much quicker than I thought, it's put me in a bit of a reality shock and realising now oh sh1t this is really happening now and I'm getting my top palate carved into three too! So I want it to be worth it for all the pain and time off work I have to go through. I assume most people are happy with their face after?